Brew Haha, every other Monday night, brings laughs to Fermentation Lounge. Between Birds Aphtodisiac Oyster Shack’s comedy nights and the open mics around town, there are several places for new comics to strengthen their game. But according to Eddie McMahon, who started organizing the shows in February, the sign-ups fill up fast and it can be hard to get a lot of stage time. That’s where he saw room in the community for another stand-up night for small timers.

“Every comic should want to get up on stage as much as possible to get experience,” McMahon said. So, when his friend noticed Fermentation wasn’t doing anything on Monday nights, they arranged to start Brew Haha, which was originally called Laugh Lab and was later changed. It’s a less formal comedy night than most in Tallahassee. The Lounge has a P.A. system already, so McMahon’s job is to make sure enough comics show and warm up the crowd with a few jokes at the beginning of the night.

Brew Haha, because of its smaller audience size, provides a different experience for comics than Bird’s. Bird’s usually attracts a big crowd, so it’s easier to get laughs. The larger audience also inspires more stage fright. Usually around ten to fifteen audience members show up at Brew Haha.

“It feels like less of a big deal. People are more willing to take risks. It gets people comfortable talking into a microphone,” McMahon said.

“Ferm is a place where you learn what’s funny and not funny,” John Michael White, one of the regular comics at Bew Haha, said. “Because it’s so intimate and challenging to get laughs, the jokes that work well there do really well with bigger crowds and showcases.”

Even when only three people show up on a Brew Haha Monday, it can be one of the most fun shows.

“You can riff more with the audience,” McMahon said. “I try to encourage people to do that.”

McMahon’s biggest challenge with organizing the show has been getting awareness of its existence out there. Mostly, he advertises through a Facebook group called Tallahassee Comedy. Comics who don’t really know much about it are unlikely to sign up to perform. This makes it difficult to attract a variety of comedians. Still, they have been able to attract both enough comedians and audience members to keep the show going for six months, even throughout the lull of the summer. McMahon has high hopes for Brew Haha and its role in the community.

“I hope it becomes a staple. I want the room to fill up every time we do the show. I want it to stay in the scene. I think it helps the scene if there are more shows,” McMahon said.

If there are more shows, the comedy scene will attract a bigger audience. A bigger audience means more people to test material on. The more practice you get, the better the comedian you will be.

“The entire Tallahassee comedy scene is about giving people a chance to grow,” McMahon said.